If you’re planning to visit Javea (or Xàbia in Valencian), the Old Town should be at the top of your list. It’s one of the main areas in Javea, filled with authentic Spanish bars, independent shops, and beautiful historic buildings.
Getting to the Javea Old Town
The Old Town sits about 2 kilometres inland from Javea’s Arenal Beach. You’ll find plenty of parking spaces around the town, with a paid underground car park located in the Plaça de la Constitució.
If you’re coming by bus, there’s a regular service that runs between the Arenal, Port and Old Town areas. The journey takes around 10 minutes from either location.
Best things to do in Javea Old Town
Visit the San Bartolomé church
The impressive San Bartolomé church stands right in the middle of the Old Town. Built in the 14th century, this Gothic-style church was actually used as a fortress to protect locals from pirate attacks.
You can enter for free, and the church accepts donations.
Walk through the old narrow streets
The streets of Javea Old Town are perfect for a morning or late afternoon stroll.
Some of my favourite streets include:
- Carrer Major – this is a pedestrian-only street, and makes for a really pretty walk. You’ll pass locals going about their day, local shops, and plenty of traditional Spanish townhouses made with plenty of sandstone.
- Plaza de la Iglesia – the central square where the church is located, with plenty of bars and restaurants located around it, and the Market Muncipial nearby. You can find some of the events from Javeas festivals happening here.
- Plaça del Convent Placeta – located at the bottom of the hill and lined with more restaurants. This area is lovely in the evenings.
Javea indoor market
The indoor market, called the Mercat Municipal, is brilliant for fresh local produce. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 2pm.
Inside you’ll find:
- Fresh fish caught that morning
- Local fruit and vegetables
- Spanish meats and cheeses
- Traditional bread and pastries
The market is where many locals do their daily shopping, and the prices are much better than the supermarkets.
Independent shops
The Old Town has loads of great independent shops along its main streets.
The traditional Spanish food shops are fantastic – you’ll find plenty of shops including small bakeries with fresh bread and homemade pastries, grocery stores with local products, to wine shops with bottles from the local region.
If you’re after authentic Spanish products, the Old Town shops are much better than the supermarkets. You’ll find much nicer and higher quality produce than the supermarkets. They also serve as fantastic gifts to give to family and friends when returning home!
Some quick shopping tips:
- Most shops open at around 10am and close for siesta between 2pm and 5pm. A lot of them stay open until about 8pm after that (later in the summer)
- Most shops close on Sundays
- Many shops will still prefer cash payments
- Don’t forget to say ‘Buenos días’ (good morning) or ‘Buenas tardes’ (good afternoon) when you go into shops – it’s considered polite
The Javea Thursday market
The Thursday market is one of my favourite parts of Old Town life, taking place every week from around 8am to 2pm. The streets fill up with market traders, and there’s such a brilliant atmosphere!
You’ll find the market stalls spread across several streets, including Plaza de la Constitucion and the surrounding area. I’d suggest getting there early (around 9am) to avoid the crowds and get the best picks.
Some tips for the Thursday market:
- Bring cash as most stallholders don’t take cards
- Take your own shopping bags
- Try asking for a ‘taster’ at the cheese and olive stalls – most sellers are happy to let you try before you buy
- The fruit and veg tend to be much cheaper towards the end of the market
